COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor E. Ó Broin

To ask the Chief Executive, under the Nitrates Directive and the Nitrates Action Programme (NAP), how many farm inspections have been carried out the area in 2026 and were there any outcomes?

REPLY:

South Dublin County Council carry out farm inspections each year as part of the National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP). During an inspection, farmyards and farmland are inspected for compliance with the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations 2025, as amended (GAP Regulations). The GAP Regulations give legal effect to Ireland's National Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) under the EU Nitrates Directive. 

In 2026, 37 initial farm inspections have been carried out under the GAP Regulations. Various non-compliances with the GAP Regulations were found as part of the inspections process and remedial action plans put in place with the farmers. Follow-up inspections have been carried out on previously inspected farms to review remedial works and ensure non-compliances have been rectified.